Epilepsy surgery in tuberous sclerosis complex: the BC Children’s Hospital experience

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy occurs in up to 90% of patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and is often refractory to medications. Our objective was to assess the safety and outcome of epilepsy surgery in children with TSC at our institution. Methods: We performed a systematic, retrospective chart review of children with TSC who underwent epilepsy surgery at our institution. Patients were identified through epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology databases. Results: 19 patients (out of 81 with TSC) underwent surgery between 1995-2014. Median age at surgery was 4.2 (Range 1.1-15.6) years, with patients having failed a median 4 (Range 0-10) anti-seizure medications. Surgery comprised corpus callosotomy in 2 and resection of one or more tubers in 17. 2 patients had a subsequent second resection. Minor neurologic deficits occurred after 14% of surgeries. Median follow-up was 2.4 years (Range 0.3 -13.8 years) following surgery . At last follow-up, 47% were seizure free, including 2 patients off anti-seizure medication. Conclusions: Epilepsy surgery is safe and effective in carefully selected TSC patients, with the majority having a good seizure outcome. Children with epilepsy secondary to TSC should be referred for epilepsy surgery assessment.